AFP, Nagpur

England’s Jacob Bethell celebrates after scoring a half-century during the first ODI between India and England at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on February 6, 2025. Photo: AFP

England captain Jos Buttler praised 21-year-old batter Jacob Bethell for his maturity under pressure despite defeat in the first one-day international against India.

Ahead of the Champions Trophy, England lost by four wickets to start the three-match series after a strong bowling performance from the hosts in Nagpur on Thursday.

The left-handed Bethell stood out with a composed 51 off 64 deliveries in England’s 248 all out.

In just his ninth ODI, and with England on 111-4, Bethell stuck it out with Buttler in a 59-run stand that raised hopes of a fighting total.

“I was watching him bat and saying ‘I couldn’t remember how to bat at 21’, it took me till I was about 28, I think. I’m really pleased for him,” the 34-year-old Buttler said.

“He didn’t find it easy at the start, but he was very mature, measured, soaked up some pressure and came through it.

“It was a really mature innings from him, he’ll learn a lot from this, it’s a really good experience.”

England elected to bat first in what was Brendon McCullum’s first ODI as coach, but lost wickets in clusters and were bowled out in 47.4 overs.

Bethell started cautiously and crawled to eight off 27 balls, before he smashed Hardik Pandya for a six.

He attempted to anchor the innings after Buttler’s departure on 52 and a couple more England wickets as he raised his second ODI fifty.

The young batter finally fell lbw to left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja.

He later turned up with the ball to cut short Shreyas Iyer’s batting blitz of 59 as he trapped the batsman lbw, before India achieved the target with four wickets and 11.2 overs to spare.

Bethell bowled three overs of his left-arm spin to claim a wicket for 18 runs.

The second ODI is on Sunday in Cuttack.